At cabinet meeting on April 19, 2024, the Government of Japan decided to revise the Implementation Plan for the International Peace Cooperation Assignments in South Sudan to extend its period and to add 2 more personnel to dispatch, in light of the significance of continuing and strengthening of contribution toward the international peace and security.

Japan has dispatched Headquarters staff personnel to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) since November 2011 and 4 staff officers are currently in charge of planning and coordination in areas of logistics, database, engineering, and air operations at the Headquarters of the Mission in Juba.

On March 14, 2024, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2726 (2024), which extended the mandate of UNMISS until April 30, 2024.

Last year, a job opening of UNMISS Deputy Chief of Staff (Personnel, Evaluation, Training; DCOSPET) was shared for application, and a JGSDF Colonel was selected. In addition, the United Nations HQ also requested one personnel to dispatch as an assistant of DCOSPET.

UNMISS is the only UN peacekeeping operation to which Japan currently deploys its personnel. And the dispatch of Headquarters staff personnel to UNMISS is intended to support the progress of the peace process in South Sudan together with the international community. From the perspective of maintaining and strengthening close engagement with the United Nations, cooperation with African countries in the vicinity of South Sudan and ensuring opportunities for human resource development, the dispatch is meaningful for Japan.

The main point of revision is as follows.

Period of the Implementation Plan
Current: till 31 May 2024
After Revision: till 30 June 2024

Increase in number of personnel
Current: 4 personnel as military staffs
After Revision: 6 personnel as military staffs

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development announced the Citizen Investment Plan for Asyut Governorate for the current fiscal year 2023/2024. Dr. Hala El-Said, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, emphasized that the development plan prioritizes special attention to Upper Egypt regions. This is achieved by applying a financial equation in directing investments based on developmental gap indicators. At the same time, there is a focus on creating a breakthrough in specific governorates that have not previously received adequate attention to maximize the benefits from their resources, wealth, and developmental potential.

She explained that the number of developmental projects in Asyut Governorate reaches 478 projects, with public investments directed towards the governorate in the 2023/2024 plan amounting to EGP 11.6 billion, an increase of 45% compared to the 2022/2023 plan.

Regarding the sectoral distribution of public investments targeted for Asyut Governorate in the 2023/2024 plan, the report of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development indicated directing investments worth EGP 4 billion to the transport sector, representing 35%. This is followed by the petroleum sector with EGP 2.5 billion, representing 22%. Local development sector investments amount to EGP 1.8 billion, representing 16%, while the housing sector is allocated EGP 1 billion, representing 9%. Higher education sector receives EGP 971 million, representing 8%. Other sectors receive investments worth EGP 1.2 billion, representing 11%. Additionally, projects under the “Decent Life” Egyptian countryside development project are allocated separate investments.

The report further clarified that the number of villages targeted in the first phase of the “Decent Life” initiative in Asyut Governorate is 150 villages, benefiting 2.4 million people, with females representing 48%. The initiative’s projects, which achieve all sustainable development goals, include the construction of 4 residential buildings for first-time care families, 4 social units, 35 agricultural service complexes, 39 ambulance points, 118 health units, 4 central hospitals, 1,226 classrooms, 164 schools, 7 family development centers, a rehabilitation center, 42 drinking water stations, 149 sewage projects, 11 treatment plants, 146 mobile network towers for fiber optic network connection, 82 youth centers, 35 governmental service complexes, 94 post offices, and 33 police stations. Moreover, canal lining and lining projects covering 223 km, as well as paving of main and internal roads spanning 314 km, and the construction of 171 irrigation bridges, 146 electricity projects for natural gas network connection.

The report highlighted that the plan aims to implement 63 developmental projects in the housing services sector in Asyut Governorate. The most significant developmental targets in this sector involve directing approximately EGP 709.5 million towards drinking water and sewage services, in addition to implementing 275 projects in the local development sector, including completing the construction of a solid waste factory and paving internal roads in the governorate.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning and Economic Development – Egypt.

The Ministry of Economic Planning, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Population, has announced the launch of a service that sends congratulatory text messages to parents of newborns through the integrated health office services system, effective from April 1, 2024. This initiative aims to inform parents about the importance of administering routine vaccinations to their children within 48 hours of the scheduled date and guiding them to the nearest health facility for the required doses.

H.E. Dr. Hala El Said, Minister of Economic Planning, highlighted that this service is part of the collaborative efforts between the Ministries of Planning and Health. She stressed the primary objective to enhance the quality of healthcare services offered to citizens, establish a direct communication channel between relevant authorities and the public, and underscore the government’s focus on newborn health, timely vaccination, and the significance of awareness in fostering a healthy generation.

Mr. Ashraf Abdel Hafeez, Assistant Minister of Economic Planning for Digital Transformation and Information Infrastructure, and Executive Director of the National Information Infrastructure Center for the Egyptian Planning System, elaborated on the Ministry of Planning’s commitment to advancing digital transformation initiatives and supporting the development of Egypt’s healthcare system. He emphasized the adoption of innovative methods and diverse channels to enhance service efficiency.

Dr. Amr Qandil, Assistant Minister of Health for Preventive Medicine, emphasized the service’s pivotal role in the government’s endeavor to ensure all children receive routine vaccinations, crucial for safeguarding against infectious diseases and preserving the health of upcoming generations.

Dr. Ashraf Abdel Aleem, Assistant Minister of Health for Digital Transformation, underscored the service’s significance as a vital tool for delivering healthcare services efficiently and ensuring ease of access for citizens. He reiterated the Ministry of Health’s dedication to enhancing electronic healthcare services and making them user-friendly.

The initiative targets all newborns in Egypt, as well as non-Egyptians residing within Egyptian territories. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of vaccinations against diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, neonatal tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, bacterial influenza B, measles, German measles, and mumps.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning and Economic Development – Egypt.

UNESCO’s Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan, in collaboration with Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM), the French Archaeological Mission to Sudan (SFDAS), and the Polish Cultural Center, convened a crucial two-day workshop in Cairo from April 16-17, 2024. The workshop, titled “Update of Crisis Response, Risk Mitigation, and First Aid for Sudan’s Heritage,” aimed to devise strategies to protect Sudan’s cultural heritage, imperiled by the prolonged conflict in the region.

Dr. Nuria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Cairo Office, underscored the solemn significance of this initiative, framing it as the initiation of a series of pragmatic actions involving rigorous analysis, assessment, and expert consultations. These efforts are intended to fortify protection measures grounded in scientific expertise. Collaborative endeavors with the National Council for Civil Defence are also underway to strengthen the safeguarding of Sudanese cultural heritage.

Key addresses during the inaugural session, notably by the Director of the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, issued a solemn call to preserve Sudan’s Cultural Heritage and shape its future trajectory amidst the grim realities of conflict. The representative of the French Archaeological Mission in Sudan expressed the gravity of future relocation and collaboration efforts, particularly emphasizing the urgency of archaeological research. Additionally, the representative of the Polish Cultural Center emphasized the dire need for intervention to safeguard both heritage threatened by conflict and the individuals dedicated to this preservation endeavor.

The hybrid workshop brought together 70 participants representing diverse stakeholders from Sudanese and international cultural sectors. This unified effort underscores the somber acknowledgment of the paramount importance of safeguarding Sudan’s cultural legacy amidst conflict, recognizing it as a solemn duty for the preservation of identity, memory, and resilience of the Sudanese populace.

As the workshop concluded, recommendations were solemnly put forth to guide future endeavors:

Establishment of a funding mechanism: A dedicated funding mechanism is urgently proposed to support the protection and restoration of cultural heritage in Sudan. Enhancements in fund disbursement mechanisms are imperative to ensure swift and efficient allocation of resources.
Continued Monitoring and Capacity Development: Ongoing monitoring, assessments, and capacity-building initiatives are deemed vital to confront the evolving challenges posed by conflict and post-conflict scenarios. Emphasis should be placed on research endeavors aimed at delineating the roles of various stakeholders in protecting cultural heritage.
Integrated cross-cutting Collaboration: The cultural sector and stakeholders, including art, antiquities, museums, living heritage, and archives, must engage in solemn collaboration to confront the multifaceted challenges confronting Sudanese cultural heritage.
Vision for Rehabilitation and Restoration: Efforts should be unwaveringly directed towards formulating a comprehensive vision for the rehabilitation and restoration of cultural heritage in post-conflict Sudan. This necessitates a holistic approach encompassing sustainable practices and community engagement, bearing in mind the somber legacy of conflict.
Formulation of Detailed Action Plans: The finalization of detailed action plans, informed by solemn expert meetings and comprehensive questionnaires, is imperative. These action plans should solemnly address the identified priorities and challenges within the realm of cultural heritage preservation, recognizing the solemn duty to future generations.

The workshop concluded with the acknowledgment of the realities facing Sudan’s cultural heritage, coupled with a steadfast commitment to collective action to preserve it for future generations. This solemn collaborative endeavor embodies the profound sense of duty and responsibility essential for navigating the intricate challenges posed by conflict and safeguarding the cultural heritage that stands as a testament to the resilience and endurance of the Sudanese people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).